200927500 九、發明說明：200927500 IX. Invention Description:
C發明所屬之技術領域J 5 ❹ 10 15 20 本專利申請案係相關於同時申請的專利申請案，名稱 為“具有著色劑供應以及可容納自備有著色劑供應之列印 匣的列印裝置”[代理人編號No. 2006033316-1]。 發明領域 本發明係有關於具有就終端用戶立場為非再裝填式且 至少實質上非拆卸式之色料供應器的列印裝。 【先前技術3 發明背景 喷墨列印裝置會將墨汁喷在媒體上而在該媒體上形成 影像。喷墨列印裝置典型具有可卸地插入之列印匣，其含 有會被用來在媒體上形成影像的墨汁。該墨汁足供一指定 數目的媒體片件之用，而當耗盡時該列印匣必須被以一含 有新墨汁供應的新列印匣來更換。使用者之一普遍抱怨係 該等列印匣必須相對較時常地更換，因它們的墨汁供應已 耗盡，且在眾多使用者的環境中，譬如辦公室環境和公共 場所如圖書館等會容易遭竊。 t發明内容1 發明概要 依據本發明之一實施例，係特地提出一種列印裝置， 包含：一色料供應器其由一終端使用者的立場是不能再充 填的，且其由該終端使用者的立場係至少實質上不能由該 列印裝置卸除的；及一喷墨列印頭會使用該色料供應器在 5 200927500 媒體上形成影像。 依據本發明之一實施例，係特地提出一種方法，包含： 以色料充填容器，該容器由一終端使用者的立場是不能再 充填的；將該容器置設在-喷墨列印裝置中，該容器由該 5終端使用者社場係至少永久地@定於該喷墨列印裝置 中；及將具有該充填以色料的容器之噴墨列印裝置提供給 一終端使用者’以供該終端使用者用來在媒體上形成影 像；其中該終端使用者於使用該喷墨列印裝置在媒體上形 成影像的任何時間皆不須要以該色料再充填該喷墨列印裝置。 10 圖式簡單說明 第1圖為-依據本發明之-實施例的列印敦置之方塊圖。 第2A和2B圖係為依據本發明之一實施例的立體圖，示TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION C 5 ❹ 10 15 20 This patent application is related to a concurrently filed patent application entitled "Printing device with a colorant supply and a print cartridge capable of containing a supply of colorant" "[Agent No. 2006033316-1]. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a print package having a color supply that is non-refillable and at least substantially non-removable in terms of end user position. [Prior Art 3] The ink jet printing apparatus sprays ink on a medium to form an image on the medium. Ink jet printing devices typically have a removably insertable print cartridge containing ink that will be used to form an image on the media. The ink is sufficient for a specified number of media sheets, and when exhausted, the print must be replaced with a new print cartridge containing new ink supply. One of the users generally complains that these prints must be replaced relatively often, as their ink supply is exhausted and can be easily experienced in many user environments, such as office environments and public places such as libraries. steal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus is specifically provided, comprising: a color supply device that is refillable by a terminal user and that is The position is at least substantially unremovable by the printing device; and an ink jet print head uses the color supply to form an image on the 5 200927500 medium. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method is specifically proposed, comprising: filling a container with a color material, the container being refillable by a terminal user; placing the container in an inkjet printing device And the container is at least permanently set in the inkjet printing device by the 5 terminal user field; and the inkjet printing device having the container filled with the color material is provided to an end user The end user is used to form an image on the medium; wherein the end user does not need to refill the ink jet printing device with the color material any time the image is formed on the medium using the ink jet printing device. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a print stamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing
出内部色料供應器如何可被永久地固定或置設在一列印裝 置内。 I 15 第3圖係為依據本發明之一實施例的列印裝置之示意 圖’其中有-内部色料供應器可被流體地連接於—托架： 第4圖係為依據本發明之一實施例示出一列印匿如何 可被流體地連接於一列印裝置之一内部色料供應器的示意圖。 第5圖係為依據本發明之_實施例更詳細示出第*圖之 20流體性連接的示意圖。 第6圖係為依據本發明之另一實施例示出一列印匿如 何可被流體地連接於一列印裝置之内部色料供應器的示意圖。 第7圖係為依據本發明之—實施例的方法流程圖，豆係 有關一列印裝置具有一内部色料供應器被永久地固定於該 200927500 裝置内，且由-終端使用者之立場係不可再充填的。 【實施方式j 較佳實施例之詳細說明 5 ❹ 10 第1圖不出-依據本發明之一實施例的列印裝置⑽之 方塊圖。該列印裝置1〇〇在第！圖中係被示為包含一内部色 料供應器102與-機構104，其可為一托架而會沿一方向移 動通過-媒體薄片’該方向係垂直於一該媒體薄片前進穿 過該列印裝置100的方向，如精習該技術之人士所瞭解者。 該機構104係可接受-列印gl〇6的可卸式插入。亦如精習 該技術之人士所瞭解者，該列印裝置觸典型包含以圖所 示者以外的其它構件，譬如滾輪、馬達等等，它們可例如 推送媒體薄片穿過該列印裝置i〇〇。 該内部色料供應器102可為墨汁，譬如一袋或一盒的墨 汁，因此該列印裝置100係為一喷墨列印裝置，其會使用一 15噴墨列印頭在媒體上形成影像。該内部色料供應器102是外 φ 在於該列印匣106，該匣係可插入該列印裝置100中。雖該 列印裝置100係被示出包含一該色料供應器102，但其亦可 ' 有一種以上的色料供應。例如，若欲使該列印裝置100能在 媒體上形成全彩色影像，則該裝置100可包含一黑色色料供 20應，一青藍色色料供應，一紫紅色色料供應，及一黃色色 料供應。該色料供應器102係至少大致上永久地設在該列印 裝置100内。即是，其可在製造該裝置100時被附接於該列 印裝置100，而不意圖供終端使用者更換。且，該色料供應 器102可為不能再充填的’其在當該色料已耗盡時，將無法 7 200927500 或不旎被終端使用者再充填。該内部色料供應器1〇2可具有 一充分大的色料容積，而使該列印裝置1〇〇能在該裝置1〇〇 的計劃（即額定)壽命中使用源自該色料供應器102的色料來 形成影像。 5 更概括而言，該内部色料供應器102並非被構製或設計 成可被購買及/或使用該列印裝置1〇〇的終端使用者來維 修。由該終端使用者的觀點（即由該終端使用者的立場），該 色料供應器102是不能再充填的，且至少實質上不能由該列 印裝置100拆卸。於該終端使用者購買該列印裝置1〇〇後， 10其將不會且實質上不能再充填該色料供應器102,亦不能由 該列印裝置100將之卸除。即是，由終端使用者的立場，該 内部色料供應器1 〇 2是不可再充填的，且係永久地固定於該 列印裝置100。 如前所述，該機構104可為一托架，其可具有一或多個 15槽隙能接受列印匣例如106等的可卸式插入。該列印匣106 可包含一可補充的色料供應器114，比如墨汁，及/或一列 印頭116，譬如一喷墨列印頭。當該列印匣1〇6插入該機構 104中時，如箭號118所示，則該列印裝置1〇〇初始會使用來 自該可補充色料供應器114的色料以該列印頭116在該媒體 20上形成影像。但是，在該可補充色料供應器114内的色料被 使用時’該内部色料供應器102會藉由一該内部色料供應器 102與可卸地插入該機構104内之列印匣1〇6間的流體性連 接’如虛線箭號120所示，來補充該色料供應器U4。 舉例而言’該列印裝置1〇〇可包括該列印匣106來一起 200927500 5 ❹ 10 15 ❹ 20 被裝運並賣給消費者。該列印匣1〇6係可在其壽命開始時， 被比如一終端使用者可卸地插入該機構1〇4中。在另一實施 例中，該列印匣106係永久地，或者在該裝置100賣給一終 端使用者之前，例如當製造該裝置100時’被裝在該列印裝 置100内’而使該終端使用者不須要安裝該匣1〇6。當該列 印匣106内的色料供應器！14被使用時，則其會被該内部色 料供應器102補充裝填。因此，若該内部色料供應器1〇2含 有充分的色料足供該列印裝置1〇〇的計劃（即額定）壽命之 用，則該列印匣106將能被用來在媒體上形成影像，而於此 段時間内不必被更換。 又在一實施例中，該列印匣1 〇 6可不包含該可補充的色 料供應器114或該列印頭116。若該列印匣1〇6並不包含該色 料供應器114，則藉由流體性連接於該可卸地插入該機構 104中之列印匣106的内部色料供應器1〇2，如虛線箭號所 示，會立即地提供色料以供該列印頭116在媒體上形成影 像。若該列印匣106並不包含該列印頭116，則該列印裝置 100可包含一分開的喷墨列印頭’其可被可卸除地或永久地 附接於該裝置1〇〇内。 故，其可說是該列印匣106至少最會使用該列印裝置 100的内部色料供應器102來在媒體上形成影像。若該列印 匿106包含其本身自含的，但可補充的色料供應器114，則 影像會被使用來自該色料供應器114的色料形成於媒體 上，但在形成該等影像時，該色料供應器114會被以源自該 列印裝置100之色料供應器102的色料來補充。因此，該内 9 200927500 部色料供應器102會被間接且最後地用來形成媒體上的影 像。相較而言，若該列印£1〇6缺乏其本身的自含色料供應 器114，則影像會被直接使用該列印裝置1〇〇的色料供應器 102來形成於媒體上。 5 又其亦可能有一個以上的列印匣106。例如，它們可為 一黑色列印匣，一青藍色列印匣，一黃色列印匣，及一紫 紅色列印匣。各該列印匣1〇6皆可包含一對應顏色的可補充 色料供應器114，及一喷墨列印頭116。在另一實施例中， 可有二個列印匣106 : 一黑色列印匣1〇6具有一黑色色料供 10應器114，及一彩色列印匣1〇6，具有例如青藍色、紫紅色 和黃色的色料供應器U4等。當該列印裝置1〇〇的内部色料 供應器102由於形成該媒體上的影像而被耗盡時則該列印 匣106的可補充色料供應器114將不能再由該内部色料供應 器102來補充色料。 15 在一實施例中，該内部色料供應器102初始可被裝滿不 拘終端使用者的相同量色料。此色料之量可為該列印裝置 100之製造者依據預定的使用特性所決定之足以維持一預 定時間長度的用量。例如，該色料之量係可足供95%的終 端使用者至少右干年之用。在另一實施例中，該内部色料 20供應器102可初始充填一如終端使用者所要求的色料量。例 如’當訂購該列印裝置100時，該終端使用者可要求其希望 最初購買多少色料’而使所提供的色料供應器102係等於此 色料量。該終端使用者可例如指示其要購:買依據該列印裝 置100之預期平均使用率足供三年用量的色料。以此方式， 200927500 該終端使用者乃能依據該列印裝置100的預期使用率來購 買其所預期之可供使用一指定時間長度的色料量。 5 Ο 10 15 ❹ 20 第2Α和2Β圖係依據本發明之一實施例示出該内部色 料供應器102如何可被永久地固定於該列印裝置1〇〇内。在 第2Α圖中，一代表性的列印裝置ι〇〇係被示出，其包含一底 盤202。在第2Β圖中，有六個個別的内部色料供應器ΐ〇2Α、 102Β、l〇2C、102D、102Ε、102F等會一起構成該内部色料 供應器102，它們係至少永久地佈設在該底盤202内。該等 個別的色料供應器102具言之係為墨汁袋，且可例如包括黑 色、青藍色、淡青藍色、黃色、紫紅色、和淡紫紅色的墨 汁袋。在一實施例中可能有少於或多於六個此等個別的色 料供應器102。例如，其可僅有四個個別的色料供應器1〇2， 包括青藍色、紫紅色、黃色，和黑色的墨汁袋等。 第3圖係依本發明之一實施例，示出該列印裝置1〇〇的 内部色料供應器102如何可被輸送到該機構1〇4來供可能的 流體性連接於列印匣304和306。該等内部色料供應器1〇2之 一者係被詳細地示於第3圖中的底盤202内。該列印匣304係 為一彩色列印匣其能夠喷出青藍色、紫紅色和黃色的墨 汁，而該列印匣306係為一黑色列印匣能夠噴出黑色墨汁。 該等列印匣304會被插入該機構1〇4中，其係為一托架能夠 沿雙向箭頭308所示的方向前後移動通過媒體。為了清楚表 示’該托架的本體並未示於第3圖中。 管路302會將墨汁由内部色料供應器1〇2輸送至該機構 104。因此，其可說是該管路302會將該等色料供應器1〇2流 11 200927500 體地連接或耦合於該機構104。該管路302針對每一種顏色 的墨汁皆含有個別的管路。故，其中可能有四條管路：一 用於青藍色墨汁，一用於紫紅色墨汁，一用於黃色墨汁， 及一用於黑色墨汁。該等列印匣3〇4和3〇6係為列印匣1〇6之 5例，因此該等列印匣304和306會與該管路302交接，而變成 與該等色料供應器102的墨汁流體性地連接。 第4圖係依據本發明之一實施例示出該列印匣丨〇6如何 可被流體地連接於第3圖之列印裝置1〇〇的内部色料供應器 102。由該内部色料供應器102起始的管路3〇2係以一隔片 10 402終結於該機構104，而該供應器1〇2和該機構1〇4未被詳 細示於第4圖中。相較而言，該列印匣1〇6包含一中空針 404。該列印匣106可卸地插入該列印裝置1〇〇中會使該中空 針404刺穿該隔片402，而經由該管路3〇2流體地連接或耦合 該列印匣106與該内部色料供應器1〇2。請注意此種該匣1〇6 15與管路302之間的“造成破裂”式流體連接係僅特別地用於 本發明之一實施例，而非所有的實施例。例如，在其它實 施例中’該列印匣106可被永久地流體性連接於該管路 302，因此該流體性連接並不會如以一隔月402/中空針404 之構造一般地容易被打斷。 20 第5圖係依據本發明之一實施例更詳細地示出第4圖之 列印匣106的一部份。該列印匣106包含一吸收性介面502， 比如一吸收性材料，如一硬燒結的塑膠過濾物，一接合的 聚酯纖維過濾物，及/或其它種類的毛細管材料或其它材 料’其在該匣106可卸地插入該列印裝置1〇〇的機構104中 12 200927500 時’會至少大致地包圍該隔片4〇2。該吸收性介面5〇2會吸 收任何由該隔片402逸出的色料，譬如在該列印匣1〇6的中 空針404之外部者。在一實施例中，該吸收性介面5〇2本身 5 e 10 15 20 若為硬質的’則可提供與該色料供應器1〇2的流體性連接， 而不必包含一隔片和針。 第ό圖係依據本發明之另一實施例示出該列印匣1〇6如 何可被流體地連接於第3圖之列印裝置1〇0的内部色料供應 器102。起始於該内部色料供應器1〇2的管路3〇2係以一針 604終結於該機構1〇4之一歧管6〇6處，而該供應器1〇2和該 機構104的其它部件並未被詳細地示出於第6圖中。相較而 言，該列印匣106包含一隔片6〇2。該列印匣106可卸地插入 該列印裝置100中會使該中空針6〇4刺穿該隔片6〇2，而經由 該管路3 02流體地連接或耦合該列印匣丨〇 6與該内部色料供 應器102。 第7圖示出一依據本發明之一實施例的方法7〇〇。該方 法700之各不同部份、步驟、及/或動作係被以第7圖中的特 殊順序來呈現。但是，此特殊順序係僅特定於本發明之一 實施例，而本發明的其它實施例則可不同於此順序。例如， §亥容器可在終端使用者於704部份被要求提供意圖使用資 訊之前，先於708部份被裝滿色料，而該終端使用者能夠由 許多不同的列印裝置來選擇，它們係至少實質上相同但所 含裝的色料之量不同。 因此，該方法700在一實施例中係開始於決定用以充填 要被裝設在一列印裝置内之一容器的色料量(7〇2)。該容器 13 200927500 可例如為一袋或盒。在一實施例中，於購買或訂購該列印 裝置時，該終端使用者會被要求提供有關該列印裝置的意 圖使用資訊(704)。此意圖使用資訊會與用以充填該容器的 色料量調合相符(706)。 5 例如，該使用者可在訂購該列印裝置時提供以下的一 或更多資訊.該列印裝置將會被如何用來在媒體上形成影 像，該列印裝置會被多頻繁地使用來在媒體上形成影像， 及/或該終端使用者希望該容器内的色料能維持多久。該列 印裝置將會被如何使用可包括例如：該使用者是否主要將 10用該列印裝置來列印相片或色彩濃密的影像。是否該使用 者主要會用該列印裝置來列印黑白之文句定句的文件，諸 如此類等等。許多此等選項可被提供該使用者，以供該使 用者選出最靠近地對應於其預計該列印裝置將會被如何 使用的選項。此資訊將可透過該列印裝置的銷售者或製 15 造者之一網址而在線上，或經由電話，或當面地來被提 供。 該列印裝置會被多頻繁地使用來在媒體上形成影像可 包括例如：該使用者將會大約每天、每週、及/或每個月列 印多少頁。該使用者可例如被提供相當於平均、輕度和重 20 度使用的選項，或亦能特別地指定其在一預定時間週期内 將會列印的頁數。該終端使用者希望該容器内的色料能維 持多久可包括：示出該使用者希望不必補充該容器内的色 料而能使用該列印裝置的月數或年數。該使用者可被容許 進入一時間週期至一最大的時間週期。該最大時間週期可 200927500 對應於該色料能被裝人該容器_最大量，而該色料會以 -依據該列印裝置將會被如何使用及/或會被如何頻繁地 使用之預定速率被耗竭。 5 ❹ 10 15 ❹ 20 該終端使用者亦可提供意圖的使用資訊，其係依據該 終端使用者曾經料之其它列印裝置的歷史性使用數據， 若該終端使用者係為一組織例如公司而會沿循以往的色料 用量者時，此將會特別地有關係。該終端使用者更可以提 供意圖的使用資訊，其係有關於一特殊目的而對應於一特 別的使用排程。例如，該列印裝置可能被訂購來供一正要 進入大學的學生使用，目此依據制印裝置之典型的學生 使用情況，其最好是含有充足的色料來維持典型的四或五 年期間以供鮮生取得—學士學位。其它類型的意圖使用 資訊亦可由該終端使用者來提供。 在一實施例中，該意圖使用資訊並非由該終端使用者 例如透過電話、網址或當面來明確地提供給該列印裝置的 製造者或銷售者’而是由該終端使用者來隱含地提供。例 如，一在一店中覽購一列印裝置的終端使用者乃可由許多 列印褒置來選擇’它們係為相同的列印裝置之機種，但已 被預先充填以不同量的色料。每一該列印裝置的包裝可提 示該潛在的購買者被容裝在該列印裝置内的色料量。例 如’-列印裝置的包裝上可標示其色料供應將可维持一平 均的列印裝置使用者三年之用，而另―列印裝置的包裳則 標不其色料供應足供一輕度列印裝置使用者五年之用。故 當選擇-該等列《置時，只要該使用者選擇該列印裝置 15 200927500 已被預裝以-對應於該使用者預計的列印裝置使用之㈣ . 量，《亥終端使用者即是隱含地提供意圖使用資訊。 故，忒使用者明確地或隱含地提供之意圖使用資訊會 被與用以充填该容器的色料量調合對應。例如，若該 使用者已提供思圖使用資訊如該列印裝置將會被如何使 用，該裝置會被如何頻繁地使用，及該終端使用者欲使用 - 該裝置多久等’這些資訊會被帶入一公式或查說一或更多 - ^格而來决疋該容器應被充填多少的色料。因此，該容 器可犯不會被充填其所能容裝的最大量色料。此將會較冑 0 10利’只要該終端使用者較喜歡以一包含該列印裝置之硬體 及其内所容裝之色料的價格來購買該列印裝置。 如此，裝在該列印裝置内的色料愈多，則該列印裝置 將會愈責。因此，以比該容器所能容裝之最大色料量較少 的色料來充填該容器，乃意味著該終端使用者能剛好構買 Μ其所需要或想要的色料量，而使該終端使用者可買到能滿 足其需要或想要之一列印裝置與色料供應的最低價組合。 如另一例中，不同顏色的色料之平衡可依據該終端使用者 〇 的喜好來調整。例如，假使該終端使用者預期僅使用黑白 影像和文字會比全彩色影像和文字的列印更多許多，則一 20擴大的黑色色料容器可被使用，且其它顏色之色料的較小 尺寸容器會被使用。 在另一實施例中該702部份可依據一平均色料使用率 來進行，其係在該終端使用者已經或將要回到一維修中心 來更換一新的列印裝置時，為另一列印裝置所決定者。例如， 16 200927500 當該終端使用者送回其既有的列㈣置而耗盡色料供應 $。亥維修中心可由此列印裝置找回資訊其顯示該使用 何頻繁地使色各種顏色的色料。依據此資訊，要充填 5 S亥新列印裝置之容器的色料量將能被決定。或者，該維修 ' 亦能依據餘留在所送回的列印裝置之各容器内的色料 ‘ ihm制印裝置料料使科。此方㈣可使該維修 中心得知例如該終端使用者是否使用黑色色料比其它顏色 〇 的色料更多許多，或者是相反。 1 又如另一例，在該既存的列印裝置中有關該終端使用 者如何頻繁地使用各種顏色之色料的資訊，係可在該使用 者將此列印裝置送回—維修中心之前被找出。例如，該資 訊了藉該列印裝置中或在一該裝置所導接之主電腦裝置中 的敕體來叫回，並連同該終端使用者的認可透過該網際網 路傳送給該列印裝置的製造者。依據此資訊，該製造者能 1 c 夠提供該終端使用者一個機會，在該既存的列印裝置已耗 © 盡其色料供應之前，亦即該既存的列印裝置已達到其計劃 或額定壽命終點之前，可先訂購一個具有精確色料供應的 ' 新列印裝置。 當要充填該容器的色料量已被決定之後，該容器會被 20 裝填此量的色料(708)，並被置設或固定於該列印裝置内 (710)。如前所述，由該終端使用者的立場而言該容器是不 能再充填的，且係至少實質上永久地固定於該列印裝置， 而由該終端使用者的立場是不能由該列印裝置卸除的。以 色料充填該容器及/或將該容器置設在該列印裝置内係可 17 200927500 在該終端使用者提供該列印裳置的意圖使用資訊之後或之 前來進打。在前者之情況下，該終端使用者可能是上線、 透過電話或當面來訂構該列印裝置的顧客，因此充填該容 器及/或將該容器固定在該列印裝置内並不會被進行，直到 5該使用者已提供意圖使用資訊以後才會進行。於後者的情 況下，該終端使用者可能是在一店中購買該列印裝置，如 前所述，有許多不同方案的相同列印裝置可被提供來銷 售，其中每一方案係對應於一被裝在該列印装置内之不同 的色料量。於此情況下，該容器係在該終端使用者隱含地 1〇長1供意圖使用資訊之前被充填色料並固定在該列印裝置内。 該列印裝置最後會被賣給該終端使用者(712)。該終端 使用者可能為一消費者，譬如在一住家、家中辦公室、或 單人教育機構中使用該列印裝置的住家、家中辦公室或教 育性使用者。該終端使用者亦可能為一組織，譬如一公司、 教乂或圖書館’其中有許多人最後皆會使用該列印裝置， 而這些人全部皆被視為該列印裝置的終端使用者。故一終 端使用者乃包括已購買或被授權購買該列印裝置的人們或 個人’及/或最後會使用該列印裝置的人們。 在—實施例中，該具有已被充填色料之容器的列印裝 2〇置會被以一價格賣出’其可容該列印裝置的製造者在該列 印襞置上以及含裝在該列印裝置中的色料上來獲取一利 潤。即是，該列印裝置係以一起初較高的訂價模式來賣出， 其中該製造者會在賣出的最初時間獲得該列印裝置及該裝 置中所含裝的色料等之利潤。此一起初較高的訂價模式係 18 200927500 相對於—種遞收模式，其中刻印裝置係最初會以有-利 潤，或以成本，或以來賣出，而當使用者購買更換 的色料供應時，製造者會在該等替換供應器上賺取更多的 利潤。 5 Ο 10 15 ❹ 20 為補償該遞收模式的固有風險，其會反映該製造者實 際上並不知道替換的色料供躺何時或是否將會被講買之 事實，故該科換供應料能必如1高的侧範圍來 被訂價。因此’該起初較高的訂價模柄製造者會較有利， 因為在賣出之時即可由終端使用者於—保證的基礎上收到 其全部的利潤。該起初較高的訂價模式亦會有利於該終端 使用者，因為製造者可訂購該列印裝置來反映一比更換色 料供應器更低的色料價格’只要該遞收模式之風險能夠被 避免。此外’該起初較高的訂價模式能對該終端使用者提 供完全已知且透明的價格。而以一遞收模式則該終端使用 者並不能確定將會花費的色料供應總成本，其係為色料供 應之須求和價格變化所致，故該起初較高的訂價模式可確 保終端使用者在購買時知道色料的總費用是多少，只要其 係包含在該列印裝置的價格中。 該終端使用者會用該列印裝置來在媒體上形成影像， 直到該容器内所含裝的色料已被至少大致地耗盡為止 (714)。請注意某些顏色的色料可能會在其它色料之前先被 耗盡。各種最佳化乃可被該列印裝置利用來大致完全地用 完所有顏色的色料，以使該終端使用者能達到該列印裝置 的最大利用價值。例如，若該列印裝置判斷黑色色料係正 19 200927500 被以一比預期更快的速率來耗竭，或已經被耗盡，則其可 自動地或由該使用者許可地，以一接近黑色之其它顏色的 色料複合物來替代，俾使該黑色色料能被更明智地使用。 又如另一例，若有一特定顏色的色料比預期更快地被使 5 用，或已被耗盡，則顏色調配計劃乃可被修正來減少此色 料顏色的使用，或企圖隱藏此色料顏色的缺乏。 亦請注意，只要該終端使用者有購買一列印裝置，其 在色料方面係可支持該使用者一段較長的時間一例如若干 年一則該列印裝置乃可提供一事實上或實際上由該裝置所 10 列印的頁數。此將會完成而令該使用者能夠驗證其有得到 所購買的列印裝置中之色料的全部價值。在本文中一事實 上的計數係指該列印裝置追踪已被列印的頁數，而此資訊 能經由一主電腦裝置的列印機驅動器來被存取，並顯示給 該使用者。在本文中一實際上的計數係指該列印裝置可在 15 該裝置本身上顯示已被列印的頁數。除了頁數之外，其它 的資訊亦可被提供給使用者，譬如在該等頁面上之平均色 料含量或使用率。 當該終端使用者已實質上由該列印裝置耗盡色料時 (714)，在一實施例中，該終端使用者會將該列印裝置送回 20 一維修中心（716)。該製造者可例如提供一送回郵費已付的 裝運容器，而該終端使用者能將該列印裝置裝入其中送回 該維修中心。又如另一例，該終端使用者亦可將該列印裝 置投交一店來送回至維修中心。本實施例的優點係該終端 使用者不會因為最後積存在一大堆雜物中而致只能丟棄該 20 200927500 列印裝置，藉此亦為該終端使用者可採之一選項。 =維修中心收到時，該列印裝置會在該維修中, 被紅’而至少補充該列印裝置内所含裝的 如，該維修中心、可卸除既存的色料容器，Μ被例 並裝人—具有新鮮色料供應的新容帥〇)。在此二 中’雖該色料容器由該終端使用者的 °/ ❹ 10 15 鵪 且係永久地固定於該列印裝置’但該維修中心二：有 :寺殊訓練的人力及/或特殊的工具，其能使該容器依缺顿 卸除’此係該終端使用者實際上所不能完成者。 又如另-例，該維修中心亦得以—新鮮的 重填該既__容器(722)，㈣代以—全_色料^ 來更換該耗竭的容器。在此說法中，同樣地，雖由終端使 用者之立場該色料容器是不能再充填的，但該維修中心可 利用具有特__人力及/或卫具，其能使該容器依然可 破重填，此乃該終端制者實際上所^能完成者。該被再 補充的列印裝置嗣可被再賣出或送回至終端使用者，而令 歹j P裝置之仍可操作的基本硬體能被相同或不同的終端 使用者再使用。 本發明的各實施例已被描述說明如上，其中一列印裝 置係此接受列印匣的可卸式插入，其會變成流體地連接於 該裝置的内部色料供應。精習於該技術者將可瞭解各種不 同的擇換、調整和變化等亦能被實施於該等實施例而不超 出如所凊求之本發明的範圍。如一例中，特別可確保喷墨 列印褒置之正確操作的背壓調節功能和推促充填功能，亦 21 200927500 可被提供於該等列印匣本身中，或在與該等列印匣分開的 . 列印裝置中，此為精習於該技術者所能瞭解。 本發明的實施例能提供已被明述如上的優點，以及其 它的優點等。例如，針對列印裝置之一普遍的抱怨係有時 5 一終端使用者於列印時在紙頁中間會用完色料，而必須以 一新鮮的色料供應來更換該耗盡的色料供應。若在該列印 _ 裝置中具有一色料供應係實質上可維持該列印裝置的使用 - 壽命，則可確保此問題能被避免。即是，實質上該終端使 用者將會用完色料的唯一時候是在該列印裝置的額定或計 ® 10劃壽命結束時。換言之，該使用者不必躭心其在列印時將 會於紙頁中間用完色料。 此乃是有利的’因為在列印時不會在紙頁中間用完墨 汁乃意味著該顧客不會浪費一張媒體，其上一完整的所需 影像尚未被形成。雖每張普通紙的價格並不昂貴，但特殊 15的相片媒體會較為昂貴一有些媒體的費用高達每張二美 元。因此，由一媒體的觀點而言，在紙頁之間用完墨汁的 代價將會相對較可觀。 〇 【圖式簡單說明】 第1圖為一依據本發明之一實施例的列印裝置之方塊圖。 20 第2A和2B圖係為依據本發明之一實施例的立體圖，示 出内部色料供應器如何可被永久地固定或置設在一列印裝 置内。 第3圖係為依據本發明之一實施例的列印裝置之示竟 圖’其中有一内部色料供應器可被流體地連接於一托架。 22 200927500 第4圖係為依據本發明之一實施例示出一列印匣如何 可被流體地連接於一列印裝置之一内部色料供應器的示意圖。 第5圖係為依據本發明之一實施例更詳細示出第4圖之 流體性連接的示意圖。 5 第6圖係為依據本發明之另一實施例示出一列印匣如 何可被流體地連接於一列印裝置之内部色料供應器的示意圖。 第7圖係為依據本發明之一實施例的方法流程圖，其係 有關一列印裝置具有一内部色料供應器被永久地固定於該 裝置内，且由一終端使用者之立場係不可再充填的。 10 【主要元件符號說明】 100.. .列印裝置 102…内部色料供應器 102A、B、C、D、E、F...各内部色料供應器 104".機構 106，304，306...列印匣 114.. .可補充的色料供應器 116…列印頭 118.. .插入方向 120.. .色料補充 202.. .底盤 302.. .管路 308.. .移動方向 402，602…隔片 404.. .中空針 23 200927500 502.. .吸收性介面 604…針 606.. .歧管 702.. .方法 704〜722…各步驟How the internal color supply can be permanently fixed or placed in a column of printing. I Figure 3 is a schematic view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the internal color supply is fluidly connectable to the carrier: Figure 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. A schematic diagram of how a column of ink can be fluidly coupled to an internal color supply of a printing device is illustrated. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the fluid connection of Figure 20 in more detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an internal color supply that can be fluidly coupled to a printing device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a bean-based printing device has an internal color supply device permanently fixed in the 200927500 device, and the position of the end user is not Refilled. [Embodiment j] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 ❹ 10 Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 1 is in the first! The figure is shown to include an internal color supply 102 and a mechanism 104 that can be a carriage that moves in one direction through a media sheet. The direction is perpendicular to a media sheet through the column. The orientation of the printing device 100 is as known to those skilled in the art. The mechanism 104 is capable of accepting - detachable insertion of gl〇6. As is also known to those skilled in the art, the printing device typically includes other components than those shown in the figures, such as rollers, motors, etc., which can, for example, push media sheets through the printing device. Hey. The internal toner supply 102 can be ink, such as a bag or a box of ink, so the printing device 100 is an inkjet printing device that uses a 15 inkjet printhead to form an image on the media. . The internal toner supply 102 is externally located in the print cartridge 106, which can be inserted into the printing apparatus 100. Although the printing device 100 is shown to include a color supply 102, it may also be provided with more than one color supply. For example, if the printing apparatus 100 is to be able to form a full-color image on the medium, the apparatus 100 may include a black color material for 20, a cyan color material supply, a magenta color material supply, and a yellow color. Material supply. The toner supply 102 is disposed at least substantially permanently within the printing device 100. That is, it can be attached to the printing device 100 when the device 100 is manufactured, and is not intended to be replaced by the end user. Moreover, the toner supply 102 can be unfillable. When the color is exhausted, it will not be refilled by the end user. The internal toner supply 1 2 can have a sufficiently large toner volume to enable the printing apparatus 1 to be used in the planned (ie, rated) life of the apparatus 1 The color of the device 102 forms an image. More generally, the internal color supply 102 is not constructed or designed to be serviced by an end user who can purchase and/or use the printing device. From the point of view of the end user (i.e., by the end user's position), the toner supply 102 is not refillable and at least substantially undetachable by the printing apparatus 100. After the end user purchases the printing device 1 , 10 will not and can not substantially refill the toner supply 102, nor can it be removed by the printing device 100. That is, from the standpoint of the end user, the internal toner supply 1 〇 2 is non-refillable and permanently fixed to the printing apparatus 100. As previously mentioned, the mechanism 104 can be a bracket that can have one or more slots that can accept a removable insertion of a print cartridge, such as 106. The print cartridge 106 can include a refillable color supply 114, such as ink, and/or a printhead 116, such as an ink jet printhead. When the print cartridge 1 is inserted into the mechanism 104, as indicated by the arrow 118, the printing device 1 will initially use the color material from the replenishable toner supply 114 to the print head. 116 forms an image on the medium 20. However, when the colorant in the replenishable toner supply 114 is used, the internal toner supply 102 is removably inserted into the printing unit 104 by the internal toner supply 102. The fluid connection of 1 to 6 is shown as a dotted arrow 120 to supplement the toner supply U4. For example, the printing device 1 can include the printer 106 together 200927500 5 ❹ 10 15 ❹ 20 shipped and sold to the consumer. The print cartridge 1 can be detachably inserted into the mechanism 1〇4, such as by an end user, at the beginning of its life. In another embodiment, the print cartridge 106 is permanently or before the device 100 is sold to an end user, such as when the device 100 is manufactured, 'installed in the print device 100'. The terminal user does not need to install the 匣1〇6. When the column prints the color supply in the 106! When 14 is used, it will be refilled by the internal toner supply 102. Thus, if the internal color supply 1 2 contains sufficient color for the planned (i.e., nominal) life of the printing unit 1 , the printing unit 106 can be used on the media. The image is formed and does not have to be replaced during this time. In still another embodiment, the print cartridge 1 〇 6 may not include the refillable color supply 114 or the print head 116. If the print cartridge 1 is not including the toner supply 114, it is fluidly connected to the internal toner supply 1〇2 of the print cartridge 106 that is detachably inserted into the mechanism 104, such as As indicated by the dashed arrows, the colorant is immediately provided for the printhead 116 to form an image on the media. If the print cartridge 106 does not include the printhead 116, the printing device 100 can include a separate inkjet printhead 'which can be removably or permanently attached to the device 1' Inside. Therefore, it can be said that the print cartridge 106 at least uses the internal toner supply 102 of the printing apparatus 100 to form an image on the medium. If the column 106 contains its own self-contained, replenishable color supply 114, the image will be formed on the media using the color material from the color supply 114, but when the images are formed The toner supply 114 is supplemented with a colorant derived from the toner supply 102 of the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, the inner 9 200927500 toner supply 102 will be used indirectly and finally to form an image on the media. In comparison, if the print £1〇6 lacks its own self-contained toner supply 114, the image will be formed on the medium directly using the color supply 102 of the printing apparatus. 5 It is also possible to have more than one print 匣 106. For example, they can be a black print 匣, a cyan print 匣, a yellow print 匣, and a magenta print 匣. Each of the print cartridges 1〇6 can include a refillable toner supply 114 of a corresponding color, and an inkjet printhead 116. In another embodiment, there may be two print cartridges 106: a black print cartridge 1〇6 having a black colorant for the 10 gauge 114, and a color print cartridge 1〇6 having, for example, cyan , fuchsia and yellow color supply U4, etc. When the internal color supply 102 of the printing apparatus 1 is exhausted due to the formation of an image on the medium, the replenishable color supply 114 of the printing cassette 106 will no longer be supplied by the internal color supply. The device 102 replenishes the colorant. In an embodiment, the interior color supply 102 can be initially filled with the same amount of colorant without the end user. The amount of the colorant can be an amount sufficient for the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 100 to maintain a predetermined length of time, depending on predetermined usage characteristics. For example, the amount of the colorant is sufficient for at least 95% of the end users to use for at least the right year. In another embodiment, the internal color 20 supply 102 can be initially filled with a quantity of toner as required by the end user. For example, when the printing device 100 is ordered, the end user can ask how much color material he or she would like to purchase, and the supplied toner supply 102 is equal to the amount of toner. The end user can, for example, indicate that he or she wants to purchase: a colorant that is available for three years depending on the expected average usage rate of the printing device 100. In this manner, the 200927500 terminal user is able to purchase the amount of toner that is expected to be available for a specified length of time based on the expected usage rate of the printing device 100. 5 Ο 10 15 ❹ 20 Figures 2 and 2 show how the internal toner supply 102 can be permanently affixed to the printing unit 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the second drawing, a representative printing device is shown, which includes a chassis 202. In the second diagram, there are six individual internal toner supplies ΐ〇2Α, 102Β, l〇2C, 102D, 102Ε, 102F, etc. which together form the internal color supply 102, which are at least permanently disposed in Inside the chassis 202. The individual color supply providers 102 are in the form of ink bags and may, for example, include black, cyan, light cyan, yellow, magenta, and auburn ink bags. There may be fewer or more than six of these individual color supplies 102 in one embodiment. For example, it may have only four individual toner supplies 1〇2, including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink bags, and the like. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention showing how the internal color supply 102 of the printing unit 1 can be transported to the mechanism 1 for possible fluid connection to the print cassette 304. And 306. One of the internal toner supply units 1〇2 is shown in detail in the chassis 202 in Fig. 3. The print cartridge 304 is a color print which is capable of ejecting cyan, magenta and yellow inks, and the print cartridge 306 is a black print cartridge capable of ejecting black ink. The print cartridges 304 are inserted into the mechanism 1〇4 as a carriage that can move back and forth through the media in the direction indicated by the double arrow 308. In order to clearly show that the body of the bracket is not shown in Fig. 3. Line 302 conveys the ink from the internal color supply 1 2 to the mechanism 104. Thus, it can be said that the line 302 will physically connect or couple the color supply 1 〇 2 flows 11 200927500 to the mechanism 104. The line 302 contains individual lines for each color of ink. Therefore, there may be four lines: one for cyan ink, one for fuchsia ink, one for yellow ink, and one for black ink. The prints 〇3〇4 and 3〇6 are 5 cases of printing 匣1〇6, so the print 匣304 and 306 will be handed over to the pipe 302 and become the same color supply. The ink of 102 is fluidly connected. Figure 4 is a diagram showing how the print cartridge 6 can be fluidly coupled to the internal toner supply 102 of the printing device 1 of Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The line 3〇2 initiated by the internal toner supply 102 terminates in the mechanism 104 with a spacer 10402, and the supply 1〇2 and the mechanism 1〇4 are not shown in detail in FIG. in. In comparison, the print cartridge 1〇6 includes a hollow needle 404. Removably inserting the print cartridge 106 into the printing device 1 causes the hollow needle 404 to pierce the spacer 402, and fluidly connects or couples the print cartridge 106 via the conduit 3〇2 The internal color supply is 1〇2. Please note that such "caused rupture" type fluid connections between the 匣1〇6 15 and the conduit 302 are only used in particular for one embodiment of the invention, and not all embodiments. For example, in other embodiments the print cartridge 106 can be permanently fluidly coupled to the tubing 302 so that the fluidic connection is generally not easily hit as in the configuration of a monthly balloon 402/hollow needle 404. Broken. 20 Figure 5 shows a portion of the print cartridge 106 of Figure 4 in more detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The print cartridge 106 includes an absorbent interface 502, such as an absorbent material, such as a hard sintered plastic filter, a bonded polyester fiber filter, and/or other types of capillary material or other material. When the magazine 106 is detachably inserted into the mechanism 104 of the printing apparatus 1 2009 200927500, the spacer 4 〇 2 will be at least substantially surrounded. The absorbent interface 5〇2 absorbs any toner that escapes from the spacer 402, such as outside the hollow needle 404 of the print cartridge 1〇6. In one embodiment, the absorbent interface 5〇2 itself 5 e 10 15 20, if rigid, provides a fluid connection to the toner supply 1 2 without having to include a septum and needle. The first drawing shows how the printing cassette 1 can be fluidly connected to the internal toner supply 102 of the printing apparatus 1O of Fig. 3 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The line 3〇2 starting from the internal toner supply 1〇2 is terminated by a needle 604 at one of the manifolds 6〇6 of the mechanism 1〇4, and the supplier 1〇2 and the mechanism 104 Other components are not shown in detail in Figure 6. In contrast, the print cartridge 106 includes a spacer 6〇2. Removably inserting the print cartridge 106 into the printing device 100 causes the hollow needle 6〇4 to pierce the spacer 6〇2, and fluidly connects or couples the print cartridge via the conduit 302 6 with the internal color supply 102. Figure 7 illustrates a method 7 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The various parts, steps, and/or actions of the method 700 are presented in a particular order in FIG. However, this particular order is only specific to one embodiment of the invention, while other embodiments of the invention may differ from this order. For example, the container can be filled with color before the end user is required to provide intent to use information in Section 704, and the end user can be selected by a number of different printing devices. They are at least substantially identical but contain different amounts of colorant. Thus, in one embodiment, the method 700 begins with determining the amount of colorant (7〇2) used to fill a container to be installed in a printing unit. The container 13 200927500 can be, for example, a bag or a box. In one embodiment, upon purchase or ordering of the printing device, the end user will be asked to provide information regarding the intended use of the printing device (704). This intent usage information is consistent with the amount of toner used to fill the container (706). 5 For example, the user may provide one or more of the following information when ordering the printing device. How the printing device will be used to form an image on the media, how often the printing device will be used. The image is formed on the media, and/or the end user desires how long the colorant in the container can last. How the printing device will be used may include, for example, whether the user primarily uses the printing device to print a photo or a color-darken image. Whether the user will mainly use the printing device to print documents of black and white sentences, and so on. Many of these options can be provided to the user for the user to select the option that most closely corresponds to how they would expect the printing device to be used. This information will be available online via the website of the seller or manufacturer of the printing device, or by telephone or in person. How often the printing device is used to form an image on the media can include, for example, how many pages the user will print approximately daily, weekly, and/or monthly. The user may, for example, be provided with an option equivalent to average, light and heavy 20 degrees of use, or may specifically specify the number of pages that will be printed for a predetermined period of time. How long the end user desires the colorant in the container to be maintained may include showing the number of months or years the user desires to use the printing device without having to replenish the color of the container. The user can be allowed to enter a period of time to a maximum period of time. The maximum time period of 200927500 corresponds to the color of the container that can be loaded into the container, and the color material will be at a predetermined rate depending on how the printing device will be used and/or how frequently it will be used. Being exhausted. 5 ❹ 10 15 ❹ 20 The end user can also provide intended usage information based on historical usage data of other printing devices that the terminal user has previously requested, if the terminal user is an organization such as a company. This will be particularly relevant when it follows the color of the past. The end user can also provide intent usage information that corresponds to a particular usage schedule for a particular purpose. For example, the printing device may be ordered for use by a student who is about to enter the university, depending on the typical student usage of the printing device, preferably with sufficient color to maintain a typical four or five year. During the period to obtain fresh students - a bachelor's degree. Other types of intent to use information may also be provided by the end user. In an embodiment, the intent to use information is not implicitly provided by the end user to the manufacturer or seller of the printing device, such as by telephone, web address or in person, but implicitly by the end user. provide. For example, an end user who views a printing device in a store may select a plurality of printing devices to select the models of the same printing device, but have been prefilled with different amounts of color. The packaging of each of the printing devices can indicate the amount of toner that the potential purchaser is accommodated in the printing device. For example, the packaging of the printing device can indicate that the color supply of the printing device will maintain an average printing device user for three years, while the printing device of the other printing device does not provide the color supply for one. Lightly print device users for five years. Therefore, when the selection is "the time, as long as the user selects the printing device 15 200927500 has been pre-installed - corresponding to the use of the printing device expected by the user (4). It is implicitly providing intent to use information. Therefore, the intentional use information provided by the user explicitly or implicitly corresponds to the amount of color material used to fill the container. For example, if the user has provided information about how the printing device will be used, how the device will be used frequently, and how often the device is intended to be used - how long the device will wait - the information will be taken Enter a formula or check one or more - to determine how much color the container should be filled with. Therefore, the container can be made to fill the maximum amount of toner that it can accommodate. This would be better than 0 10' as long as the end user prefers to purchase the printing device at a price that includes the hardware of the printing device and the color material contained therein. Thus, the more the colorant contained in the printing device, the more the printing device will be responsible. Therefore, filling the container with a colorant that is less than the maximum amount of color material that can be accommodated in the container means that the end user can just buy the amount of color material he needs or wants, so that The end user can purchase the lowest price combination that satisfies their needs or wants one of the printing devices and the color supply. In another example, the balance of colors of different colors can be adjusted according to the preferences of the end user. For example, if the end user expects that only black and white images and text will be printed much more than full color images and text, then a 20-expanded black color container can be used, and other color toners are smaller. Size containers will be used. In another embodiment, the portion 702 can be performed according to an average color material usage rate when the end user has or will return to a service center to replace a new printing device for another printing The device is determined by the device. For example, 16 200927500 when the end user sends back its existing column (4) and runs out of color supply $. The Hai repair center can retrieve information from the printing device to show how often it is used to color the various colors. Based on this information, the amount of toner to be filled in the container of the 5 S new printing device can be determined. Alternatively, the repair ' can also be based on the color material ‘ihm printing device material remaining in the respective containers of the returned printing device. This side (4) allows the service center to know, for example, whether the end user uses a black colorant much more than other colors, or vice versa. 1 As another example, information on how frequently the end user uses the color materials of the various colors in the existing printing device can be found before the user returns the printing device to the repair center. Out. For example, the information is called back by a body in the printing device or in a host computer device that is connected to the device, and transmitted to the printing device via the Internet along with the end user's approval. Manufacturer. Based on this information, the manufacturer can provide the end user with an opportunity to have the existing printing device reach its plan or rating before the existing printing device has consumed its color supply. Before the end of life, you can order a new printing unit with a precise color supply. After the amount of toner to be filled into the container has been determined, the container is loaded with 20 of the colorant (708) and placed or secured within the printing unit (710). As mentioned above, the container is not refillable from the standpoint of the end user and is at least substantially permanently fixed to the printing device, and the position of the user of the terminal cannot be printed by the terminal. The device is removed. Filling the container with a colorant and/or placing the container in the printing device can be entered after the end user provides the intended use information for the printed skirt. In the former case, the end user may be a customer who is online, through the phone or in person to order the printing device, so filling the container and/or fixing the container in the printing device will not be carried out. Until 5, the user has provided the intent to use the information. In the latter case, the end user may purchase the printing device in a store. As mentioned above, the same printing device with many different solutions may be provided for sale, wherein each solution corresponds to one The amount of different colorants that are loaded into the printing device. In this case, the container is filled with the colorant and fixed in the printing device before the end user implicitly 1 for the intended use information. The printing device will eventually be sold to the end user (712). The terminal user may be a consumer, such as a home, home office, or educational user using the printing device in a home, home office, or single educational institution. The end user may also be an organization, such as a company, a church or a library, where many of them will eventually use the printing device, and all of them are considered to be end users of the printing device. Therefore, a terminal user includes a person or person who has purchased or is authorized to purchase the printing device' and/or who will eventually use the printing device. In an embodiment, the print cartridge 2 having the container filled with the colorant will be sold at a price that allows the manufacturer of the printing device to be placed on the print cartridge and loaded A profit is obtained on the color material in the printing device. That is, the printing device is sold in a higher initial pricing mode, wherein the manufacturer obtains the profit of the printing device and the color material contained in the device at the initial time of selling. . This initial higher pricing model is 18 200927500 relative to the delivery mode, in which the marking device is initially sold at a profit, or at a cost, or since the user purchases a replacement color supply. At the time, the manufacturer will earn more profit on these replacement suppliers. 5 Ο 10 15 ❹ 20 In order to compensate for the inherent risk of the delivery mode, it will reflect the fact that the manufacturer does not actually know when the replacement color material will be used for lying or will be bought. It is possible to be priced as a side range of 1 high. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a higher order mold manufacturer at the beginning, because at the time of sale, the end user can receive all of his profits on a guaranteed basis. The initial higher pricing model will also benefit the end user because the manufacturer can order the printing device to reflect a lower color price than the replacement of the toner supply 'as long as the risk of the delivery mode can Was avoided. In addition, the initially higher pricing mode provides the end user with a completely known and transparent price. In a delivery mode, the end user is not sure of the total cost of the color supply that will be spent, which is caused by the demand for the supply of the color material and the price change, so the initial higher pricing mode ensures The end user knows at the time of purchase what the total cost of the color material is, as long as it is included in the price of the printing device. The end user will use the printing device to form an image on the media until the color contained in the container has been at least substantially exhausted (714). Please note that some color pigments may be depleted before other colorants. Various optimizations are utilized by the printing device to substantially completely use the colorants of all colors to enable the end user to achieve maximum use of the printing device. For example, if the printing device determines that the black colorant is being depleted at a faster rate than expected, or has been exhausted, it may be automatically or by the user, with a near black The color composite of other colors is substituted to enable the black color to be used more wisely. As another example, if a color of a particular color is used 5 times faster than expected, or has been exhausted, the color blending plan can be modified to reduce the use of the color of the color, or to attempt to hide the color. The lack of color. Please also note that as long as the end user has purchased a printing device, the coloring material can support the user for a longer period of time, such as a number of years. The printing device can provide a de facto or actual The number of pages printed by the device. This will be done to enable the user to verify that they have the full value of the colorant in the printing device being purchased. In this context, a count refers to the number of pages that have been printed by the printing device, and this information can be accessed via a printer driver of a host computer device and displayed to the user. An actual count in this context means that the printing device can display the number of pages that have been printed on the device itself. In addition to the number of pages, other information may be provided to the user, such as the average color content or usage rate on such pages. When the end user has substantially depleted the color material by the printing device (714), in one embodiment, the end user will return the printing device to a service center (716). The manufacturer may, for example, provide a shipping container for which the postage has been paid back, and the end user can load the printing device therein for return to the repair center. As another example, the terminal user can also submit the printing device to a store for return to the repair center. The advantage of this embodiment is that the end user does not have to discard the 20 200927500 printing device because of the last accumulation of a large number of objects, thereby also being an option for the end user. = When the repair center receives it, the printing device will be red in the repair, and at least the equipment contained in the printing device, such as the repair center, can be removed, and the existing color container can be replenished. And loaded with people - Xinrong Shuai with fresh color supply). In the second two, 'the color container is from the end user's ° / ❹ 10 15 鹌 and is permanently fixed to the printing device' but the repair center 2: there are: the human and/or special training of the temple A tool that enables the container to be unloaded by default - this is the end user who is actually unable to complete. As another example, the repair center is also capable of freshly refilling the container __ (722) and (4) replacing the depleted container with a full-color toner. In this statement, similarly, although the toner container can not be refilled from the standpoint of the end user, the repair center can utilize the special manpower and/or the safety device, which can make the container still breakable. Refill, this is what the terminal system can actually accomplish. The refilled printing device can be resold or returned to the end user, and the basic hardware that is still operable by the device can be reused by the same or different end users. Embodiments of the present invention have been described above in which a row of prints is a removable insert that accepts a print cartridge that becomes fluidly connected to the internal color supply of the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternatives, modifications, and variations can be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, in particular, the back pressure adjustment function and the push filling function of the inkjet printing device can be ensured, and the 200927500 can be provided in the printing cartridge itself or in the printing of the printing cartridges. Separate. In the printing device, this is understood by those skilled in the art. Embodiments of the present invention can provide advantages as described above, as well as other advantages and the like. For example, a common complaint for one of the printing devices is that sometimes a terminal user will run out of color in the middle of the page when printing, and the depleted color must be replaced with a fresh color supply. supply. Providing a color supply system in the printing device substantially maintains the use-life of the printing device ensures that this problem can be avoided. That is, in essence, the only time the end user will run out of color is at the end of the rating or metering life of the printing device. In other words, the user does not have to worry that it will run out of color in the middle of the page when printing. This is advantageous 'because it does not run out of ink in the middle of the page when printing, meaning that the customer does not waste a piece of media, and a complete desired image has not yet been formed. Although the price of each plain paper is not expensive, the special 15 photo media will be more expensive, and some media costs as much as two US dollars. Therefore, from a media point of view, the cost of running out of ink between sheets will be relatively substantial. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 20A and 2B are perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention showing how the internal color supply can be permanently fixed or placed in a column of printing. Fig. 3 is a view showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in which an internal toner supply unit is fluidly coupled to a carriage. 22 200927500 Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of how a print cartridge can be fluidly coupled to an internal color supply of a printing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the fluidic connection of Figure 4 in more detail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 5 Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of how an array of prints can be fluidly coupled to an internal color supply of a printing device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a printing device has an internal color supply device permanently fixed in the device, and the position of an end user is no longer Filled. 10 [Description of main component symbols] 100.. Printing device 102... Internal color supply 102A, B, C, D, E, F... Internal color supply 104". Mechanisms 106, 304, 306 ...printing 匣 114.. . replenishable color supply 116... printing head 118.. insertion direction 120.. color additive 202.. chassis 302.. . Movement direction 402, 602... spacer 404.. hollow needle 23 200927500 502.. absorption interface 604... needle 606.. manifold 702.. method 704~722... steps